The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-03
THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS-
The Senate Insists on Appropriating
Large Sums for Vessels Of War.
The House Recedes from Its Position on the
Canadian Retaliatory Bill, and Passes the
Measure as 1t Came from the Senate.

presented by the pfesldlGg omcer was CoiiinuHi
cation from the Secretary of War, with copies
of all dispatches from General Miles referring to
the surrender of Geronimo, and OF instructions
and correspondence relating to the same, as
called for by recent resolution. Ordered
printed.
The House amendments to the Senate bill
authorizing bridge across the Missouri river
between Omaha and Council Bluffs, were, on
motion of Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, concurred IN.
Mr. Whitthorne from the committee on naval
affairs. reported back the Senate bill to create
naval reserve of auxiliary cruisers, officers and
men from the mercantile marine. Placed on the
calendar.
Mr.. Mcmillan, from the committee on COM
merce, reported a bill authorizing the city Of
Wfzs,na, Mimi, to construct bridge across a
part of the Mississippi river and island there
in. Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Aldrch, from the committee on finance,
reported resolution authorizing that commit
tee to continue. during the recess. the investiga
aion into the under-valuation of imported mer-
chandse. Adopted.
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr. Hoar,
authorizing the committee on privileges and
elections to continue, during the recess, the
Texas investigation, was adopted
Mr. Plat, from the committee on1erritories,
reported the Senate bill to validate and cure de-
fects in certain acts of the Legislature of Wash
ington Territory. Passed.
The Senate then proceeded to consideration of
the naval appropriation bill An amendment
was inserted in the item for the Bureau of Steam
Engineering, providing that no part of the APP
preparation shall be applied to the repair of en-
gines and machinery of wooden ships where the
estimated cost of repair shall exceed 20 per cent
of the cost of new engines and machinery of the
same character and power.
Under the head of increase of the navy the
committee recommends striking out the House
provision for two swift, double bottomed steel
cruisers and for four un-boats, all to cost.
elusive of armament. not more than 81 1850, 600,
and the substitution OF two new sections provid-
ing for six protected steel cruisers, with speed
of not less than twenty knots. to cost exclusive
of armament, not more than So, 100000. and APP
propriating that amount; also, approprating for
the armament Of such vessels So, $50, 900; also,
nppropriatng Sc. 600, 900 for heavily armored YES
sells, floating batteries rams for coast and
harbor defense also, appropriatlng $40. 900 for
Light draught gunboats; also. 5000, 900 for tor
pedo boats and 600 for torpedoes, and ST.
800, 900 for armament of these vessels.
Mr.. Gray questioned the policy of the provision
requiring one of the six steel cruisers to be built
on or near the coast of the Pacific ocean, and
two of them the coast of the Gulf of
Mexico. This only tram meling the Secre-
tary of the Navy, and interfering with the gen.
eral objects proposed He was in favor of the
u,
namely, the creation of six swift, available and
efficient cruisers, and therefore he moved to
strike out that provision. He subsequently
modified his motion to make the clause
read that it it shall appear to the President that
vessels cannot oe constructed at fair cost on
the Pacific or Gulf coasts he may consider and
accept bids for building said vessels other
'esseis," instead of suspending their construc-
sion until the further action of Congress.
The question was taken on Mr.. Gray's amend
snent as modified, and it was rejected.
Mr. Plumb moved to strike out the item of
six millions for heavy armored vessels, or bat
teries rams for coast defenses.
The bill was laid aside temporarily, and the
Senate went into secret session and subsequent
1y took a recess until $50 p NJ.
At the evening session consideration Of the
naval appropriation bill was resumed, the Ques-
ton being Mr. Plumb's amendment to strike
out Of the amendment of the committee the item
of sc. 00O.O 900 for heavily armored vessels or ar
mored floating batteries or rams to be used fol-
coast and harbor defense The amendment was
rejected without division.
The amendment recommended by the commit
tee was adopted without division. 1t strikes out
the House provision for two swift double bot
toned steel cruisers and four gunboats, all K
cost, exclusive of armament not more than 81,
$50 000 and inserts in lieu thereof a section pro
vdng for the construction by contract of six
protected steel cruisers, with suitable arma
ments. and speed of not less thar
twenty knots the cost of all the cruisers not t.
exceed 100000. Additional appropriation
are made for machinery and armament
one of the vessels to built on tn,
Pacific coast and two on or near the coast of tn,
Gulf OF Mexico. For every quarter knot o
speed over twenty knots the contractor is to re
ceive 900, and for every quarter knot unde
twenty knots $50 600 will be deducted from tn,
contract price. Further appropriations ar
made as follows: For the construction of heavi
ly armored vessels, or armored floating batterie
or rams, to be used for coast and harbor defense
$4,000, 900; for construction of light-draugh
gunboats, suitable for interior waterways an,
canal service. $3.50. 900; for construction of tor
pedo boats of the highest attanable speed an,
efficiency. 5000. 900; for torpedoes and other OK
plosives, and torpedo apparatus, to be operated
from naval vessels, floating batteries or rams
$500 000 of which sum $50 600 shall be mmedl
ately available; for the armament Of the vessels
81 100000. These appropriations to be ayailabl
during five years
The next material amendment reported by th
committee on appropriations and agreed to b,
the Senate, was the following: For the purchas
by the Secretary of the Navy, If he shall deem
the purchase advisable, of the Destroyer,
screw steam vessel of iron, designed and bull
by Capt John Ericsson, $4,000
Mr. Aldrieh offered an amendment appropra,
Ing $50, 900 for the purchase of the Stietto. to
used q torpedo boat for experimental pui
poses. Agreed to-
The bill and amendments were then reporte
to the Senate-the former proceedings being sur
posed to have been In committee of the whole.
Mr.. Edmunds called for the yeas and nays o.
the amendment for the six cruisers, ETC.
Mr.. Plumb moved to amend the amendmen
by making the last paragraph read THAT tn
material used in all naval structures provide
for in this act, and the armament for the sam
shall be-so far as practicable-of American pre
duction. and shall be furnished and manufacl
ured in the United States" ETC. Agreed TO-
The vote was then taken on the committee
amendment. and it was decided in the afarms
tive-yeas AZ, nays9. The negative vote was >
follows Messrs. Berry Cockrell. Coke. Harris
Plumb, Vance, Van Wyck, Vest and Wilson, {
Maryland.
The next amendments was the insertion {
the item of SIP 900 for the purchase Of tn